Charity Clayton never set out to become an author. In fact, writing a book was nowhere on her radar. But like many things in life, God had different plans.
She and her husband have adopted children both domestically and internationally, and the journey has not been easy. “It’s been wild,” Charity shared during a 2023 podcast with TBHC. “It’s been so good and so sweet, and I wouldn’t change any of it. But bringing a kiddo from a hard place into your home is hard. It kind of rocks the boat—for a good long while sometimes.” The couple has biological children as well and has experienced firsthand how trauma impacts each child differently. “We’ve had moments of sadness, of feeling overwhelmed, and just a desperation that we need the Lord to intervene in our kids’ hearts—all of their hearts.”
But in the midst of messiness were miracles. “You get a front row seat to watching miracle after miracle after miracle,” Charity says. “That healing in our kids’ hearts is the miraculous work of God.”
It was during a family camping trip in Arkansas—surrounded by quiet stars, and space to think—that a simple but profound idea came to Charity: what if she could help other adoptive families speak to the deep fears and hidden hurts in their children’s hearts? She opened the Notes app on her phone and typed the first draft of “Together Forever, No Matter What”—a children’s book designed to help adopted children and their parents navigate the fears and questions that often accompany this unique journey.
Two years later, she read the finished version, complete with illustrations, aloud to her children for the first time. Her oldest son, adopted internationally, teared up halfway through. Her three-year-old, adopted domestically, peppered her with “Mama, why?”—and later that night, they had a tender bedtime conversation about his first mom. Her ten-year-old, her biological son, just beamed and said, “Mama, it’s so good. People are going to love this.”
Those reactions confirmed what Charity already knew in her spirit: this story needed to be shared.
The book, a gentle conversation between a little boy and his adoptive mom, was designed to create space for real questions and big emotions. It speaks directly to the fears many adoptive children carry—fear of loss, fear of not being enough—and offers steady reassurance. “Together forever, no matter what,” the mother repeats throughout the book, even when the child tests her love. The phrase, which has become a daily mantra in Charity’s home, is one her children still need to hear, even as teens.
This journey has also changed Charity. “I’m so grateful I’m not where I was 12 years ago,” she said. “And that’s no doing of my own—just God’s work in me, honestly through a lot of difficulty.” Through it all, her hope has shifted—not just to the outcome of healing for her children, but to the faithful presence of Jesus, who walks with her through the hard days, gives her what she needs, and remains near.
Charity and her husband now use their story to encourage other families—especially those who say yes to adoption or foster care without knowing how hard it can be. “We said yes, and then we about died. We didn’t have community. We weren’t parenting in a way that was bringing healing,” she shared honestly. Today, they’re committed to equipping others with the tools, support, and Gospel-centered truth they didn’t have at first. This book is just one small way they’re doing that.
Hear the rest of the Clayton’s story on TBHC’s Bringing Kids Home podcast. tbhc.org/bringing-kids-home-podcast
